DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force has approved full rate production for Lockheed Martin’s (LMT) Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). JASSM-ER successfully completed U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flight testing in 2013. During IOT&E, the program had a 95 percent success rate, scoring 20 successes in 21 flights. Lots 11 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-approves-full-rate-production-for-lockheed-martins-jassm-er-61167/

DefenceTalkUnder a $117 million contract awarded to Raytheon Company, Raytheon Missile Systems has begun production of the TALON Laser Guided Rocket. In 2013, the Armed Forces General Headquarters of the United Arab Emirates awarded Tawazun a contract to procure the TALON Laser Guided Rocket. “Full rate production of the TALON LGR is a significant milestone […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheon-begins-production-on-talon-laser-guided-rockets-for-the-uae-60581/

DefenceTalkPine Bluff Arsenal’s Directorate of Ammunition Operations here achieved a major quality milestone July 2, when it produced its three millionth M18 colored smoke grenade without a failure. The directorate passed the two million mark in May 2011. “This is a major accomplishment. I can’t take credit for it,” said Roch Byrne, AO director. “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/three-million-m18-grenades-produced-without-a-failure-60367/

DefenceTalkRaytheon Company’s Excalibur Ib precision guided projectile has entered full rate production (FRP). U.S. Army approval of FRP completes Excalibur Ib’s low rate initial production phase. Additionally, the U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon $52 million for continued Excalibur Ib production. “The full rate production decision is the culmination of superb teamwork between the U.S. Army […]https://www.defencetalk.com/excalibur-ib-enters-full-rate-production-60303/

DefenceTalkAir and sea power are critical strategic military assets, but land power is undeniable in its ability to compel and deter adversaries. The Army’s capability to project land power grew this week with the induction of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and its companion M992A3 carrier ammunition tracked vehicle into low-rate initial production. The M109A7 and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-inducts-self-propelled-howitzer-into-low-rate-initial-production-59633/

DefenceTalkEmployees from virtually every part of Saab are involved in the Gripen E project. Agreements have also been struck with more than 30 major development suppliers that are helping to realise Gripen E. “What we are doing now is unique,” says Lars-Erik Svedlund, Programme Manager for Gripen E/F. “We received the order from the Swedish […]https://www.defencetalk.com/gripen-e-production-is-fully-under-way-59448/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin received a $255 million contract in late 2013 from the U.S. Army for Lot 9 production of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary rocket. The new allotment of rockets will be delivered to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Republic of Italy. Delivery will begin in April 2015. Work will be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-receives-us-army-contract-for-guided-mlrs-rocket-production-59027/

DefenceTalkPakistan on Wednesday launched production of a new version of a combat aircraft featuring upgraded avionics and weapons system. The plane, to be called Block-II JF-17, will be manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex west of Islamabad, which has so far produced 50 older-model Block-I JF-17s for the air force. The complex on Wednesday formally […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pakistan-launches-production-of-new-fighter-aircraft-49972/

DefenceTalkThe Program Executive Office for Ammunition’s Enhanced Performance Round program shaved off more than $20 million dollars in a value engineering project aimed at renovating the bullet production lines and improving the program’s purchasing strategies. The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, or EPR, is the newest member of the Army’s small-caliber family of munitions fired from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/improvements-to-armys-new-5-56mm-production-lines-49452/

DefenceTalkSupport and maintenance of global C-17 fleet continues through Boeing’s Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program Production continues at 10 C-17s per year for 22 additional new aircraft Boeing’s 2013 financial guidance unchanged Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III and close the C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach, Calif. in 2015. “Ending […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-to-complete-production-of-c-17-globemaster-iii-in-2015-49116/